Search for rafter missing in Snake will pick up again at first light

UPDATE: 8:14am – Missing man has been identified as Oliver Woodward, 21. He is a 6′ white male last seen at 5pm yesterday wearing green board shorts.

JACKSON HOLE, WYO – A search continues for one rafter lost in the Snake River after a boat overturned at King’s Wave this afternoon.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened sometime around 5:30pm when a boat full of six seasonal workers using a rented raft were dumped in the rapids section of King’s Wave while floating the Snake. Four individuals made it back to the boat safely. A fifth person managed to swim to shore some distance from the spill and later hitchhiked back to town. The sixth person, a male in his 20s, was last seen floating in the river ahead of the raft. He was not wearing a flotation device.

Dispatch did not receive a call to assist until about 90 minutes after the incident occurred. Search and Rescue began immediate patrols up and down the Snake River in two watercraft. They saw no sign of the missing man. No commercial outfitter reported picking him up and his parents were notified. They had not heard from him either.

If the individual made it safely to land, he may have to walk out or spend the night. Search and Rescue plans to continue the search at first light using aerial support.